Radiant energy collector



July 5, 1949. R. DEL cuE-ro 2,475,544 y RADIANT ENERGY COLLECTOR Filedsept. 5, 194e 1 l f, f 1 l 1 l f M es, Pfff/.i4 am@ Patented July 5,1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Appiication September 5, 1946, SerialNo. .695,064

` In Mexico September 25, 1945 3 Claims. l

This invention relates to certain useful improvements in radiant energycollectors for making possible the maximum utilization of radiant energyfrom natural or artificial sources.

At the present time, the utilization of radiant energy has beenaccomplished by means of costly and complicated apparatus and devices,which substantially provide the combination of reilecting means for theconcentration of energy with an element where the liquid, whosetemperature will be raised is kept in circulation. Such apparatus hasnot had successful practical results due to the complicated installationwhich requires great space, and because they use a minimum amount of theradiant energy concentrated on the collector.

Another disadvantage of these known devices, is their necessary carefuland permanent orientation relative to the sun or other source of energyto permit their reflecting means to concentrate the energy on the tubeor collecting device.

It is an object f this invention to provide a collector for theaccumulation of thermal energy, to make possible its maximumaccumulation and utilization in a liquid or gaseous mass, with anexaggerated exterior receiving surface relative to the volume of fluidcontained therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a radiant energycollecting device, in which the incident radiant energy is accumulatedin a fluid mass in tubular form, of circular or oval cross section, withwalls of a predetermined thickness to provide for the maximum collectionof energy in a minimum of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide an energy collectingdevice of the kind to be hereinafter described which does not requirethe use of reflecting elements to concentrate the energy, the energybeing collected directly from the source thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a radiant energycollector of this kind in which the particular construction eliminatesthe need for a change of position of the apparatus ac cording to thesolar annual declination.

To the foregoing objects, and others which may hereinafter more fullyappear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combinationand arrangement of parts, as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understoodthat changes, variations, and modications may be resorted to which fallwithin the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section,of a radiant energy collecting device constructed according to anembodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings the numeral it ignates generally a collectingdevice for collecting and accumulating radiant energy as jheat in theliquid passing through. The device Ill comprises in general a centralbulb or shell II, an intermediate wall I2 and an outer wall I4,supported in spaced apart relation by end walls I5 and I6.

The inner bulb or shell Il comprises an elon gated cylindrical bodywhich may `be made of any suitable material as glass or metal which willmaintain its shape and configuration despite the deteriorating effectsof any fluid used in the device I0. The shell II is closed at both endsand is formed with endwise extending reduced diameter concentricextensions I1 which may .l readily be formed on the shell II forsupporting the shell Il within the device Il) from each end wall I5 andI6. The interior surface of the bulb II may be covered with a reectingelement, as a silver deposit or other silvered surface, to increase theaccumulation of the thermal energy.

The end Walls I5 and I6 are formed of a flat annular disc each having acentral concentric opening I8 in which the extensions I 'I of the bulbII are adapted to be engaged. The walls I5 and I6 are formed also withan annular concenu tric groove I9 spaced inwardly from the periphery ofthe disc for supporting the intermediate wall I2 therebetween.

The intermediate wall I2 comprises an elongated tubular body of glass orother transparent material which the light rays may readily penetrate.The cylinder I2 is supported so that its inner surface ls held in aslight spaced apart relation to the length of the bulb I I, so that thefluid in the device, which will be contained between the bulb II andwall I2, will be spread in a thin Ichamber between the walls in orderthat the surface area of the iluid will be greatly exaggerated relativeto the volume yof the same fluid. The ends of the cylindrical wall I2engage in the annular grooves I9 and may be hermetlcally sealed by aseal 20 engaging in the grooves I9 between the cylinder I2 and end wallsI5 and I 6. An outer wall I 4 is provided to be held about theintermediate Wall l2 to be spaced fluid to be heated. The end sections23 and 2d are formed of a substantially conical housing having anoutwardly extending iiange at the inner divergent end for fastening theends to the discs I5 and i6.' The apex of each end section 23 and Eriare provided with pipe iittings 2S through which the uid may be passedto be circuiated in the device I0 or series of such devices. One of theend sections, as 23, may be provided with a valvedoutlet 2l for drainingthe heated fluid from the device Il).

The insulating yspace between the outer wall iii and intermediate walll2 `may be evacuated, if desired, to provide a more .efficientinsulation for retaining the thermal energy in the irradiated fluid. Theiiuid in this device .may be a liquid or gas as required.

In the use and .operation of this device lil the fluid is admitted `atone end through a housing, as 2d, whence it is circulated about thelbulb l'i by passing through openings 23 in the discs l5 and it. Thefluid is spread into a relatively thin film between the walls `of thebulb li and tube l2 whereby the surface of the fluid is greatlyincreased in area for absorbing a maximum amount of radiant thermalenergy, direct and reflected, in a minimum of time. The irradiated iiuid`may .be taken from the device l0 at the opposite end housing 2.3through .outlet 21 and valve 29 when heated sufficiently, or may becirculated to an adjacent similar device Hl through the other end, 23,for further exposure to the source .of radiant energy.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of constructionherein .disclosed but claim all variations falling `within the purviewof the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A radiant energy collecting device of the kind described comprisingan outer transparent cylindrical member, apertured end walls on saidcylindrical member, a iiuid inlet and outlet member on the opposite endwalls communicating with said apertures, an intermediate transparentcylinder within said cylindrical member carried by said end walls spacedfrom said cylindrical member providing an insulating space therebetween,and an inner cylindrical member carried by said end walls, the surfaceof said inner member being disposed closely adjacent the inner surfaceof said intermediate member providing a thin space therebetween throughwhich the fluid is free to flow.

2. A radiant energy collecting device oi the kind described comprisingan outer transparent cylindrical member, apertured end walls on saidcylindrical member, a fluid inlet and outlet member on the opposite endwalls communicating with said apertures, an intermediate transparentcylinder within said cylindrical member carried by said end walls spacedfrom said cylindrical member providing an insulating space therebetween,an inner cylindrical member carried by said end walls., the surface ofsaid inner member being disposed closely ,adjacent the inner surface ofsaid intermediate member providing a thin space therebetweenthroughwhich the fluid is free to flow., anda reflecting coating on the outersurface of .said inn-er member.

3. A radiant energy vcollecting device of the kind described comprisingan outer transparent tubular member, end walls .on said .outer member,an intermediate transparent .tubular member fixed between said end Walls.and spaced inwardly from said outer member providing a closedinsulating space therebetween, `an inner cylindrical 'member vxedbetween ,Said end Walls `concentric,

REFERENCES CITED The following 'referenlces are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number Name Date 1,661,473 Goddard et al Mar. 6,i928 1,946,184 Abbot Feb. 6, 1934 2,133,649 Abbot 001). 18, 19382,205,378 Abbot June 25, 1940

